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TRB WEBINAR PROGRAM Planning and Preliminary Engineering Applications Guide to the Highway Capacity

Manual: Contents

Tuesday, May 30, 2017 2:00-3:30 PM ET

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD

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requirements of the Registered Continuing Education Providers Program.

Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to RCEP. A

certificate of completion will be issued to participants that have registered

and attended the entire session. As such, it does not include content that

may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by RCEP.

Purpose Discuss how the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) can be used to support agencies’ planning, programming and management decisions in a cost-effective manner.

Learning Objectives At the end of this webinar, you will be able to: • Describe what “planning” and “preliminary engineering” mean in an

HCM context • Understand why the Guide was developed, its intended audience, and

its general structure • Identify common planning tasks to which HCM methods can potentially

be applied • Apply the case studies provided in the Guide to specific planning tasks

Planning and Preliminary Engineering Applications Guide to the HCM

Part 1: Content

May 30, 2017

NCHRP is a State-Driven Program

– Suggest research of national interest

– Serve on oversight panels that guide the research.

• Administered by TRB in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

• Sponsored by individual state DOTs who

Practical, ready-to-use results • Applied research aimed at

state DOT practitioners • Often become AASHTO

standards, specifications, guides, syntheses

• Can be applied in planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, safety, environment

Welcome

Brian Dunn • Transportation Planning Analysis Manager,

Oregon DOT • Planning & Preliminary Engineering

Subcommittee Chair, TRB Committee on Highway Capacity & Quality of Service

• Member of project panel for the Guide

5

Instructors

Tom Creasey, PE, Ph.D. • Principal, Stantec • Chair, TRB Highway Capacity & QOS Committee • Co-author of the Guide

Paul Ryus, PE • Principal Engineer, Kittelson & Associates, Inc. • Member, TRB Highway Capacity & QOS Committee • Co-author of the Guide

Learning Objectives

Define “planning” and “preliminary engineering” in an HCM context

Understand why the Guide was developed, its intended audience, and its general structure

Identify common planning tasks to which HCM methods can potentially be applied

Identify the case studies provided in the Guide that demonstrate the application of HCM planning methods to specific planning tasks

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Webinar Content

1. Overview

2. Scope and Structure

3. Applications and References

4. Part 1: Guide Overview

5. Part 2: Medium-Level Analyses

6. Part 3: High-Level Analyses

7. Case Studies (Webinar #2)

8. Wrap-Up

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Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

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Purpose of the Guide

The HCM is commonly used by transportation agencies to evaluate the current or forecast operations of roadway facilities

Less well known is that the HCM can also be used to cost-effectively and reliably support agencies’ planning, programming, and management decisions

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Scope of the HCM

The HCM has traditionally focused on describing detailed methods for estimating roadway operational performance • Concepts, step-by-step computational methods, example

problems

More limited information has been available for planning applications • Default values, generalized service volume tables, quick

estimation methods

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Planning Applications in an HCM Context

Evaluation of predicted or forecasted conditions for various facility types

Application of HCM methods using combinations of actual data, default values, and/or simplifying assumptions

More generalized answers (e.g. “Is this sufficient?”) over wider areas and/or longer timeframes

“Back-of-the-envelope” calculations Input to project prioritization processes Source of performance measures used in performance

monitoring

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Current Use of the HCM in Planning

State DOTs, MPOs, local governments, and others were surveyed

Less-experienced users less likely than expert users to see value in using the HCM for planning

More use with short-term than long-term planning

12

Users’ Desired HCM Improvements for Planning

Develop a P&PE Applications Guide (77%)

Provide travel time reliability measures (63%)

Extend HCM to system and corridor analyses (63%)

Integrate HCM methods better with travel demand models (60%)

Provide systemwide MOEs (60%)

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NCHRP Project 07-22 Objectives

Develop a guide on the use of the HCM for planning and preliminary engineering applications by identifying appropriate methods and applications, illustrating them with case studies. Aspects included: • Appropriate use of different parts of HCM for a broad

spectrum of planning/preliminary engineering applications • Use in scenario planning • Coordination with other analytical tools • Oversaturated conditions in a planning context

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Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

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Levels of Planning Analysis

High level • Large analysis area • Low detail

Medium level • Focus on a single roadway

facility, segment, or intersection

• Greater detail

Low level • Highly focused and highly detailed

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Relative Detail of HCM-Based Analysis Methods

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Focus of the Guide

Multi- facility

Single facility, point

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Guide’s Relationship to the Project Life Cycle

Guide’s Relationship to the HCM: Similarities

Documents cross-reference each other

Both documents present methods for estimating a variety of transportation performance measures

Guide’s methods are derived from HCM methods • Simplified to reflect the amount

and quality of data typically available for planning studies

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Guide’s Relationship to the HCM: Differences

Guide is not intended to replace the HCM

Guide’s methods should not be used to make final decisions about roadway design features

Computational tools • HCM: Specialized software • Guide: Computations by hand,

worksheets, spreadsheets

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Audiences for the Guide

Current HCM users • Planning or preliminary engineering–level analyses with

limited available data • Questions requiring a quick, reasonable answer

Planners who may not be aware of the HCM or consider themselves HCM users, but who can nevertheless use it for portions of their work • Coordinated use of the HCM with planning models and tools • Integration of HCM methods and defaults into planning tools • System performance monitoring

University students

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Organization of the Guide

Guide is not intended to be read cover-to-cover

Four parts • Overview • Medium-level analysis • High-level analysis • Case studies

Guide uses lettered sections A–V to contrast with numbered HCM chapters 1–37

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Part 1: Overview (Sections A–G) • Entry point to the guide for non-HCM users • Menus directing readers to guidebook sections addressing

different planning applications • Topics referenced throughout the manual

Working with traffic demand data Predicting future intersection traffic control Using default values to reduce data needs Using service volume tables to reduce computational effort

Field Measurements

UseDefaults

?

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Part 2: Medium-Level Analysis (Sections H–P) • Entry point to the guide for HCM users • HCM 6th Edition refers readers to specific

guidebook sections • Organized by HCM system element

Freeways, two-lane highways, urban streets, etc. Plus bicycle, pedestrians, transit, and

truck (freight) modes

• Typical subsections Scoping and screening method HCM method with defaults Alternate or extended HCM method

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Part 3: High-Level Analysis (Sections Q–S) • Extensions of the HCM to larger study areas

Corridors Areas and systems Systemwide performance monitoring

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Part 4: Case Studies (Sections T–V) • In-depth examples of applying the Guide’s methods

Freeway master plan Arterial bus rapid transit analysis Long-range transportation plan

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Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

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Applications and References within the PPEAG

Reference tables associating applications tasks with related sections and case studies

Application areas • Screening and scoping

• Areawide transportation planning

• Project impact and alternatives analysis

• System performance monitoring

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Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

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Part 1 Sections

A. Introduction

B. Medium-Level (Facility-Specific) Analyses

C. High-Level Analyses

D. Working with Traffic Demand Data

E. Predicting Intersection Traffic Control

F. Default Values

G. Service Volume Tables

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Section A: Introduction

Overview

Scope of the Guide • Definitions • Applications • Levels of analysis • Relationship to the Guide to the

project life cycle

Target audience

How to use the Guide

Hierarchy of analysis methods

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Section B: Medium-Level (Facility-Specific) Analyses

Overview

Project traffic and environmental impact studies • Typical process • Typical analysis tools • Basic data needs • How the HCM can support these

types of analyses

Applications of default values

Medium-Level Analysis Tasks Addressed in the Guide

Project Impact and Alternatives Analysis Task Reference Sections in

Part 3

Related Case Studies in

Part 4 Input to travel demand models (if used)

• Estimate capacities and free-flow speeds R 3.1

Traffic assignment in travel demand models (if used)

• Estimate congested speeds R 3.2

Input to microsimulation model (if used)

• Estimate free-flow speeds H-N None

Microsimulation model (if used) validation and error checking • Estimate capacity for error-checking simulated bottlenecks H-N None

Project impact and alternatives analyses

• Estimate segment speeds for air quality and noise analyses H-N 1.3, 2.4

• Estimate auto intersection utilization (v/c ratios) H-N 2.2, 2.3

• Estimate delay H-N 2.4

• Estimate queuing H-N 1.5, 2.5

• Interpret results H-N 1, 2

• Analyze travel time reliability H, K 1.6

• Estimate quality of service for transit, bicycles and pedestrians O 2.6

• Estimate truck level of service P None

Corridor analysis Q None

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Section C: High-Level Analyses

Overview

Screening and scoping studies • Roles of the HCM and the Guide

Long- and short-range areawide transportation planning • Typical process, tools, data needs • How the HCM can support these types of analyses

System performance monitoring • Context • Roles of the HCM and the Guide

Screening and Scoping Tasks Addressed in the Guide

Screening and Scoping Task Reference Sections in

Parts 2 and 3


Part 4 Screen for potential level of service (LOS) hot spots • Auto LOS problems H-N 1.4, 2.4

• Truck LOS problems P None

• Transit, bicycle, and pedestrian LOS problems

O 2.6

Identify potential auto capacity problems

H-N 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

Preliminary evaluation of improvement alternatives • Auto improvements H-N 1.7

• Truck improvements H-N None

• Transit, bicycle, and pedestrian O 2.6

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Areawide Transportation Planning Tasks Addressed in the Guide

Task Reference Sections in

Part 3


Part 4 Input to travel demand models (TDMs)

• Estimate segment capacities and free-flow speeds R 3.1

Traffic assignment in TDMs

• Estimate congested speeds R 3.2

Post-processing TDM Outputs

• Estimate speeds for AQ analyses R 3.3

• Quick screening to identify v/c and LOS hot spots R 3.3

• Estimate delay R 3.3

• Estimate queuing R 3.3

• Interpret results R 3.3

• Analyze travel time reliability R 3.4

• Estimate quality of service for autos, trucks, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians

R None

Corridor analyses Q None

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System Performance Monitoring Tasks Addressed in the Guide

Task Reference Sections in

Part 3


Part 4 Estimate monitoring site capacities and free-flow speeds

R4 3.1

Volume-only monitoring sites

• Traffic assignment in travel demand models R5 3.2

Travel time-only monitoring sites

• Estimate congestion S3 None

Performance analysis

• Auto and truck vehicle miles traveled by level of service R5 None

• Estimate delay R5 3.3

• Estimate queuing R5 3.3

• Analyze travel time reliability R5 3.4

• Estimate multimodal level of service for transit, bicycles, and pedestrians

R5 None

• Estimate truck level of service R5 None

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Section D: Working with Traffic Demand Data

Overview

Selecting an analysis hour

Converting daily volumes to shorter timeframes

Seasonal adjustments to traffic volumes

Rounding traffic volumes

Observed volumes vs. actual demand

Constraining demand due to upstream bottlenecks

Converting link volumes to turning movements

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Section E: Predicting Intersection Traffic Control

Overview

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) • Estimating 8th- and 4th-

highest hour volumes • Applying MUTCD warrants

Graphical method • Identifies likely future

intersection control for use in a planning analysis

• Not intended for final decisions

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Section F: Default Values to Reduce Data Needs

Overview

When to consider default values

Sources of default values

Developing local default values

Field Measurements

Use Defaults

?

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Section G: Service Volume Tables to Reduce Analysis Effort

Overview

Description

When to consider service volume tables

Sources of generalized service volume tables • HCM • Florida DOT • Local tables

K- D- Four-Lane Streets Six-Lane Streets Factor Factor LOS C LOS D LOS E LOS C LOS D LOS E

Posted Speed Limit = 45 mph 0.09 0.55 16,500 33,600 36,800 25,400 51,700 55,300 0.09 0.60 15,100 30,800 33,700 23,400 47,400 50,700 0.10 0.55 14,900 30,200 33,100 23,000 46,500 49,700 0.10 0.60 13,600 27,700 30,300 21,000 42,700 45,600 0.11 0.55 13,500 27,500 30,100 20,900 42,300 45,200 0.11 0.60 12,400 25,200 27,600 19,100 38,800 41,500

Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

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Part 2 Sections

H. Freeway Analyses I. Multilane Highways J. Two-Lane Highways K. Urban Streets L. Signalized Intersections M. Stop-Controlled Intersections N. Roundabouts O. Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Public Transit P. Truck Level of Service

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Typical Part 2 Section Outline

Overview Applications Analysis Methods Overview Scoping and Screening Method Section Analysis Applying the HCM with Defaults Simplified HCM Facility Method Reliability (freeways, urban streets, signals) Multimodal LOS cross-reference Case study cross-reference

46

Scoping and Screening

Applying generalized service volume tables Developing service volumes Applicable system elements:

• Freeways • Multilane highways • Two-lane highways • Urban streets

Area Type Terrain

Peak-Hour Peak-Direction (veh/h/ln) AADT (2-way veh/day/ln)

LOS A-C LOS D LOS E

(capacity) LOS A-C LOS D LOS E

(capacity) Urban Level 1,550 1,890 2,150 14,400 17,500 19,900 Urban Rolling 1,480 1,810 2,050 13,700 16,700 19,000 Rural Level 1,460 1,770 2,010 12,100 14,800 16,800 Rural Rolling 1,310 1,600 1,820 11,000 13,400 15,200

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Section Analysis Using the HCM with Defaults

Applies the HCM operations method, but using default values for many inputs to reduce data requirements

Requires access to HCM-implementing software

Guide provides information on what input data are needed to apply the method

Guide suggests default values for inputs that can be defaulted

Applicable system elements: • Freeways, multilane highways, two-lane highways • Urban streets, signalized intersections

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Example Data Requirements for Multilane Highways

Input Data (units)

For HCM

Section

For Facility Method Default Value

Hourly directional volume (veh/h) • • Must be provided Number of directional lanes • • Must be provided Terrain type (level, rolling, etc.) • • Must be provided* Lane width (ft) • • 12 Total lateral clearance (ft) • • 12

Access points/mile • • 8 (rural), 16 (low-density suburban), 25 (high-density suburban)

Free-flow speed (mph) • • Must be provided Percentage heavy vehicles (%) • • 10 (rural), 5 (suburban)** Peak hour factor (decimal) • • 0.88 (rural), 0.95 (suburban) Section length (mi) • Must be provided Intersection performance data • Must be provided

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Simplified HCM Method

Most HCM operations methods require specialized software to implement • Many target users of the Guide won’t have access to this

software • Using the HCM method with defaults may require more

resources than available or appropriate for the analysis

The Guide presents simplified methods that are HCM-compatible, but can be performed by hand or implemented in a basic spreadsheet • Multiple performance measures can be calculated

Simplified methods available for all system elements

50

Example Data Requirements for the Simplified Signalized Intersection Method

Performance Measure Input Data (units) Cap Del LOS MMLOS Que Default Value Number of turn lanes • • • • • Must be provided Other geometry • • • • • HCM Exhibit 19-11 Signal timing • • • • • HCM Exhibits 19-11 and 19-17

Peak hour factor (decimal) • • • • 0.90 (total entering volume <1,000 veh/h), 0.92 (otherwise)

Percentage heavy vehicles (%) • • • • • 3% Parking activity • • • • • None Pedestrian activity • • • • • None Volumes by movement (veh/h) • • • • Must be provided Analysis period length (h) • • • 0.25 h

Cap = capacity, Del = delay, LOS = motorized vehicle level of service, MMLOS = motorized vehicle component of multimodal level of service, Que = queue length

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Other Topics in Part 2

Freeways • Method adaptations for advanced freeway management

practices

Urban streets • Method extension to over-capacity conditions

52

Section O: Pedestrians, Bicyclists, and Public Transit

Freeways

Multilane and Two-Lane Highways

Urban Streets

Signalized Intersections

Stop-Controlled Intersections

Roundabouts

Off-Street Pathways

Kitt

elso

n &

Ass

ocia

tes,

Inc.

53

Section P: Truck Level of Service

The HCM doesn’t provide a truck LOS measure

NCFRP Report 31 does, and it has been incorporated into the Guide

Truck LOS is based on the degree to which a roadway provides ideal truck conditions • Usable by trucks with legal size and weight loads • No at-grade railroad crossings • Provides reliable truck travel at truck free-flow speeds • Low cost (i.e., no tolls)

Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

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Part 3 Sections

Q. Corridor Quick Estimation Screenline Analysis

R. Areas and Systems

S. Roadway System Monitoring

56

Section Q: Corridor Quick Estimation Screenline Analysis

Quick method for assessing corridor capacity

More-detailed assessments would use Section R (area) techniques or facility-specific methods from Part 2

57

Section R: Areas and Systems

Area- and systemwide analysis is typically performed in a travel demand modeling environment

Section R provides guidance on: • Using HCM procedures to generate the key performance

analysis inputs required by typical demand models • Post-processing demand model output to generate

additional performance measures

Supports HCM-compatible analyses and measures as a project moves from need to concept to design

58

Section S: Roadway System Monitoring

Guidance on identifying and diagnosing travel-time reliability and capacity problems

Method assumes that the agency has access to archived average travel times by road segment and time of day

The travel time index, the ratio of actual to free-flow travel time, is a useful indicator of congestion problem spots

Flor

ida

DOT

Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

59

Part 4: Case Studies (Webinar Part 2)

•60

Case Study 1: Freeway Master Plan

Case Study 2: Arterial Bus Rapid Transit Analysis

Case Study 3: Long-Range Transportation Plan

Part 2 of the webinar will also address the use of HCM performance measures in roadway monitoring

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Webinar Content

1. Overview







8. Wrap-Up

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Resources

The Guide can be downloaded from HCM Volume 4 • www.hcmvolume4.org • Free, one-time registration required

Five spreadsheet computational engines provided on Volume 4 to help implement some of the Guide’s methods

Project underway to develop additional outreach and training materials to support the Guide • These materials will be posted on Volume 4 over the

course of 2017 as they are completed

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http://www.hcmvolume4.org/

Summary

The Guide provides a resource for both HCM users and planning professionals to: • Conduct quick back-of-the-envelope evaluations where

neither a full HCM analysis nor simulation is necessary • Maintain consistency with the HCM throughout the project

development process • Incorporate HCM methods into planning tools

Develop inputs used by planning models Improve the accuracy and consistency of computations performed

by planning models Post-process model outputs to generate additional performance

measures

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Questions?

64

Panelists Presentations

http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/webinars/170530.pdf

After the webinar, you will receive a follow-up email

containing a link to the recording



Today’s Participants

• Tom Creasey, Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., [email protected]

• Paul Ryus, Kittelson & Associates, [email protected]

• Brian Dunn, Oregon Department of Transportation, [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Get Involved with TRB • Getting involved is free! • Join a Standing Committee (http://bit.ly/2jYRrF6)

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– Create your account and update your profile

• Next webinar on NCHRP Report 825: Applications on June 28 http://www.trb.org/Calendar/Blurbs/175919.aspx

97th TRB Annual Meeting: January 7-11, 2018

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